Systems Science and Obesity

Systems Science and Obesity

Systems Science and Obesity

Johns Hopkins University

About this course: Systems science has been instrumental in breaking new scientific ground in diverse fields such as meteorology, engineering and decision analysis. However, it is just beginning to impact public health. This seminar is designed to introduce students to basic tools of theory building and data analysis in systems science and to apply those tools to better understand the obesity epidemic in human populations. There will also be a lab in which students will use a simple demonstration model of food acquisition behavior using agent-based modeling on standard (free) software (netlogo). The central organizing idea of the course is to examine the obesity epidemic at a population level as an emergent properties of complex, nested systems, with attention to feedback processes, multilevel interactions, and the phenomenon of emergence. While the emphasis will be on obesity, the goal will be to explore ways in which the systems approach can be applied to other non-communicable diseases both nationally and internationally.
Topics will include:
a) the epidemiology of obesity across time and place,
b) theories to explain population obesity,
c) the role of environments and economic resources in obesity
c) basic concepts and tools of systems science,
d) modeling energy-balance related behaviors in context,
e) agent-based models, systems dynamic models, and social network models

Complex systems, system dynamic models, and developing a stock and flow. This module includes a lab lesson.

6 videos, 1 reading

Video: What Is a Complex System?

Video: Nuts and Bolts of System Dynamics Models

Video: Developing a Stock and Flow Model

Video: Policy Resistance

Video: Coding tutorial for systems dynamics model

Video: From stock and flow diagram to developing a SD model in Vensim

Reading: Important: Models for Lab Assessment

Graded: Module 2 Quiz

Graded: Lab 1 Quiz

WEEK 3

Module 3

Social networks and obesity, neighborhoods and noshing, and prices and poverty.

9 videos

Video: What Are Social Networks?

Video: Social Network Analysis

Video: Obesity & Social Networks

Video: Neighborhoods and Noshing: Foraging and the Food Environment

Video: Why Should We Care About Neighborhoods for a Systems Science of Obesity

Video: Foraging Theory: A Unifying Framework?

Video: Lecture 6: What's price (and income) got to do with it?

Video: Less money, more problems?

Video: Taxman: Can Price Manipulations Be Used to Promote Healthful Eating

Graded: Module 3 Quiz

WEEK 4

Module 4

Agent based modeling and conceptual motivation for agent based modeling. This module includes a lab lesson.

8 videos, 2 readings

Video: Agent-based modeling: A simpler way to understand complexity

Video: Why agent-based modeling?

Video: Development of a Simple Model with Environment, Peer Networks, and Agent Behaviors

Video: Food Foraging ABM:Embedded in a GIS-Based Environment

Video: Lab 2 Part 1: Tutorial on building ABMs in Netlogo environment

Video: Lab 2 Part 2: ABM for Food Store; Food Foraging ABM

Video: Lab 2 Part 3: Income-Diet model example with extensions

Reading: Important: Models For Lab Assessment 2

Video: Congratulations!

Reading: Learn more about the Global Obesity Prevention Center

Graded: Module 4 Quiz

Graded: Lab Quiz 2

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Ratings and Reviews

Rated 4.5 out of 5 of 60 ratings

PS

amazing!

HD

It is only that the language is little hard for non native speakers

AA

I thought this was interesting and informative. I'm neither a programmer nor a scientist so I had my doubts about how much I would get out of it, but I think it was at a good level for a beginner. Obesity seemed like a great topic to introduce systems science ideas and vice versa. I never felt too confused.